Chick-fil-A plans in Birmingham, Alabama awaited

Chick-fil-A returns to the city of Birmingham's Design Review Committee this morning, a month after its plans for a drive-through restaurant in Five Points South ruffled feathers among committee members and business owners in the neighborhood.

If Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A drops its plans for the site, Panera Bread now appears ready to step in.

At an April 14 meeting, the city's Design Review Committee took no action on Chick-fil-A's proposed site plan, instead encouraging company representatives to meet with the neighborhood to try to resolve some issues.

Chief among those issues was Chick-fil-A's plans for a drive-through at the former site of Ruby Tuesday on the corner of Highland Avenue and 20th Street South. The drive-through's entrance was designed to incorporate an alley that runs from 20th Street behind a group of restaurants that include celebrated chef Frank Stitt's Highlands Bar and Grill and Chez Fonfon.

The neighborhood is worried about the impact on traffic, and Stitt expressed concern about the impact on deliveries to his restaurants and the outdoor seating and entertainment area behind Chez Fonfon.

Since last month's Design Review Committee meeting, Chick-fil-A officials had a meeting with Stitt, Bob Moody and James Little of the Five Points Merchants Group, as well as officials from Operation New Birmingham to discuss issues.

Little, executive director of the Merchants Group, said there was a lot of talking and listening, but nothing was resolved and Chick-fil-A has not shared any changes to its plans, if any changes have been made.

"We will all be interested to see what they present at the meeting," Little said.

Efforts to reach officials at Chick-fil-A were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Panera in the wings

Should Chick-fil-A decide to not go through with its plans for a 4,200-square-foot restaurant on the site, a broker representing Panera Bread said that company is ready to renovate the former Ruby Tuesday and open in the space without a drive-through.

Hunter Keller, broker with Richmond Properties Inc., said the bakery and cafe chain has been waiting its turn to pursue the site.

"Panera's had some interest for a while," Keller said. "It would be a great fit for that area."

Keller said Panera intends to lease the property from the current owners. He said no site plan nor designs have been done for the project because Panera still doesn't know if it will get an opportunity to lease the property.

Greg Despinakis of Southpace Properties represents the property owners. He said he and his clients are waiting until after the Design Review Committee's decision before discussing what direction they will go with the property.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on the third floor of the Center for Regional Planning and Design at 17th Street and First Avenue North.

Since Chick-fil-A's plans became public, opposition to the project has sprung on the Internet. A Facebook page titled "Chick-fil-A drive through in the heart of 5-Points? NO!" had 684 members Tuesday. Most of the comments on the page's wall lamented the impact traffic and idling cars would have on the neighborhood, while others said the fast-food restaurant is not in keeping with the character of Five Points South. A few supporters said they would like the convenience of having a Chick-fil-A there.